Community Corner

Neighbors Share Mixed Feelings on BYC's Move

The youth health clinic recently moved to a church on Wellington Avenue, and while some say they applaud them for doing the services, others say they don't want the clients in their neighborhood.

Representatives with the Broadway Youth Center addressed neighbors Monday evening in an attempt to ease any concerns, and the voices in the room ranged from supportive to upset.

The BYC is a leg of the Howard Brown Health Center, serving mostly homeless and LGBT youth aged 12-to 24-years-old.

Once located at the corner of Belmont Avenue and North Broadway, the organization temporarily relocated to the Broadway United Methodist Church before recently announcing their new location—for the time being—at the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ at 615 W. Wellington Ave.

While one resident at the South East Lake View Neighbors meeting was an outspoken supporter of the BYC, saying they should be complimented for their work in Lake View, a majority of voices raised concerns.

SELVN board member John Rafkin says he lives down the street from the church, and based on previous issues caused by the clinic’s clients, he wants to know what organizers are doing to prevent future issues.

“I live just a couple houses down from there, and I think the services are great,” Rafkin said. “I do have concerns, though. I’ve heard some concerns and various comments in articles, and I just want to make sure that we’re not going to have a lot of loitering and standing out there all day and all night.”

BYC Director Lara Brooks said she will actively be combating that by having staff outside monitoring 30 minutes before and after they open and close. That’s in combination with a waiting area inside the church and a plan to end services when the conjoined Timeline Theatre holds performances.

Brooks added that the center isn’t just about testing for HIV, treating sexually transmitted infections and pushing the youth out the door. They are targeting individuals with specific plans on ways to heal the trauma of, in some cases, living on the streets.

“Our strategy is about engaging folks and holding them tight for the long term,” Brooks said. “So unlike some social service agencies that are kicking people out and pushing the fights out the door, we’re really working on keeping things in-house. Then folks aren’t stepping out onto the sidewalk, getting into fights, and then getting picked up by police. That’s not helping, in our opinion.”

Still, some could not be swayed.

“I think you’re doing a disservice to the community and to the neighborhood,” said resident Bob Gilbert. “You’re importing them onto Wellington. I don’t want you importing them. Some of them are violent.”

Brooks said she knows Wellington is very much a residential street, so they plan to end the high-volume programs at 4:30 at the latest. This is also not the center's permanent location. Brooks said they plan to reevaluate the BYC as they finalize the results of their 3-year strategic plan.


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